Today, we’re going to be taking a closer look at one of my research books for The Visions of Bezek.
Something Wicked This Way Comes is a 1962 dark fantasy novel written by Ray Bradbury. I selected this book for research because it takes place in a small town and, in a way, I wanted to give small town vibes to Bezek.
This book is about two thirteen-year-old best friends and their experiences with the carnival that comes to their town. Something’s not right about the carnival, though. I don’t want to spoil too much, but it gets dangerous, or at least it seems that way to two kids, while they unravel the mysteries of the carnival. Whether it’s really dangerous or not, you’ll need to find out yourself.
There’s a lot to love about this book. At the top of my list is simply Bradbury’s writing style. If you’ve never read any of his books, you’ll discover that he has a poetic way of writing. It’s not the more common matter-of-fact details and descriptions that are commonly found in books. It’s easy to get lost in such a book.
“Watching the boys vanish away, Charles Halloway suppressed a sudden urge to run with them, make the pack. He knew what the wind was doing to them, where it was taking them, to all the secret places that were never so secret again in life.”
Other than the beauty that graces all the pages, I do have a few other favorites. There’s one chapter that’s only ten words, but it carries a tremendous amount of meaning within them. That’s a bold move. Not a lot of books have chapters so short.
Another favorite is the Bradbury’s description of a tattooed character. He’s often referred to as the illustrated man. That’s a unique perspective that I’ll remember forever.
Some ages ago, a movie was released for the book with the same name. I’m fairly certain it’s a Disney movie, but it’s not on Disney Plus. Sadly, it’s not anywhere to stream. Otherwise, I’d be adding my opinion about it, as well. I can’t imagine that it could top the book, but I would be curious to see how it tackles some of the more intricate events of the book. I’m sure it’ll show up on a streaming service one day. They all show up down here.
If you haven’t read Something Wicked This Way Comes, I highly recommend it. It’s a story unlike any other and certainly a classic. In the event you’ve already read it and liked it, you may want to check out my book, The Visions of Bezek. It’s not as poetic, but you’ll find a good dose of dark fantasy elements and that lovely small town vibe.
If you’re interested in owning a copy of Something Wicked This Way Comes, you’ll find my research copy for auction on eBay, starting at an extra low price in the ZanderverZ Store. It also comes with a free ZanderverZ bookmark. If you get your bid in early enough, you’ll have the chance to get a great deal. The auction starts at 9PM tonight. Good luck!
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